03042026-LT-01.qxd 4/2/2026 10:46 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune BJP HOLDS PROTEST OVER BLAST IN CHANDIGARH GRIT, DISCIPLINE MARK VANSHIKA’S SUCCESS STORY EPIC SPECTACLE: THE RAMAYANA TEASER UNVEILED BJP workers from central Assembly segment held a protest over the blast near the BJP headquarters in Chandigarh. P2 The 8-year-old from the city has carved an inspiring journey to emerge as one of state’s brightest young stars. P3 A star-studded cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey & Yash brings pan-India appeal.P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 32°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.47 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:12 AM FRIDAY | 3 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA Cong leader’s murder: 2 held from Bihar, family cremates body Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 2 The Ludhiana police have arrested the two key accused wanted in the murder case of Congress leader Parminder Tiwari. They were arrested from Patna with the help of Bihar police and identified as Vijay of Khokhran village, and Lucky of Iraq village. The police have already arrested Vijay’s parents, brother and a relative for harbouring him. A Ludhiana police team is bringing both accused from Patna to Ludhiana. Upon arrival in Ludhiana, the police will fully disclose the case. On the other hand, after the arrest of the accused, the family agreed to conduct a post-mortem examination of Tiwari. Accordingly, the police transported the body from Fortis Hospital to the Civil Hospital, where his post-mortem examination was conducted. Afterwards, the body was handed over to his family for performing the last rites, which took place at Takhan village. His son Dakshya lit the pyre. The police are citing a property dispute as the motive behind the murder of Congress leader, but the family disagrees with the police theory. They are calling it a case of contract killing and demanding a thorough investigation. The family had been adamant about not getting a post-mortem examination conducted as the accused had not been arrested. However, after the arrest of the two main accused, the family performed the last rites. A senior police official of Ludhiana police confirmed that police teams had been conducting raids to get information about the whereabouts of the accused. After confirming the exact location in Bihar, Ludhiana police team rushed there and with the help of Bihar police, a raid was conducted and both accused were held. Motive behind killing The brutal murder of Congress block president Parminder Tiwari from Machhiwara at Harian village on Sunday evening was reportedly triggered by a dispute over 15 yards of panchayat land. During investigation, it came to light that accused Vijay harboured a grudge against the TakhraKhokhran panchayat and Tiwari over a land dispute. The panchayat members had been reportedly elected with Congress support in which Tiwari had played a significant role. After the formation of the panchayat, Tiwari, along with the sarpanch and other members, asked Vijay to vacate 15 yards of encroached panchayat land. According to information, the killers had first greeted Tiwari, and then struck him on the head with an axe. Woman set on fire; husband, in-laws booked Tribune News Service Punjab AAP in-charge Manish Sisodia and Cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian distribute sports kits at a function in Khasi Kalan village near Sahnewal on Wednesday evening. AAP leaders count achievements; give sports kits, sewing machines Our Correspondent Dist mandis wear deserted look as wheat procurement yet to start Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 2 Wheat procurement officially began in Punjab on April 1, but the mandis in Ludhiana district wore a deserted look as arrivals are yet to begin. Farmers say harvesting will pick up only around Baisakhi, with the crop still maturing in the fields. Harinder Singh Lakhowal, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), explained, “The recent weather changes have delayed harvesting. It will take another 10 days before farmers can bring their produce to the mandis.” Farmers across the district echoed similar concerns. Amarbir Singh from Kaunke Kalan village said that the early March heat had prompted farmers to irrigate their fields, but subsequent rains increased moisture level. “The crop has not matured fully and will take another 10-15 days. The sudden shifts in temperature and rain have slowed the process,” he added. Paramjit Singh from Samrala voiced another worry, “The erratic weather has resulted in blackening of the wheat crop. Earlier, February was unusually hot, and then sudden rainfall Sahnewal, April 2 A rally was organised under the leadership of Cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian at the grain market of Khasi Kalan village in Sahnewal late last evening. Punjab AAP in-charge Manish Sisodia was the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Mundian and Sisodia highlighted politics of honesty and people-centric governance of the Aam Aadmi Party. They emphasized that the goal of AAP was not merely to attain power, but to bring real and meaningful change in the lives of the people. They stated that the politics of honesty, which started in Delhi, was now gaining strong momentum in Punjab, and the people are wholeheartedly supporting it. Mundian called people of Sahnewal constituency as his own family and said he was committed to serving them. He revealed that he wanted to do something meaningful for the people on his daughter’s birthday. As part of this unique initiative, sports kits were distributed among the youth and sewing machines were given to women. In his address, Sisodia remarked that it was a matter of pride that the people of Punjab were standing firmly with an honest government. He also appreciated the idea of Mundian distributing sports kits and sewing machines on his daughter’s birthday. He further announced that financial assistance of Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500 would be given to Punjab’s women very soon. Sisodia also lauded Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, stating that under their leadership, the politics of Punjab and the country was moving on a new path focussed on improving the lives of citizens. “When every family’s child is welleducated, our society and country will automatically progress,” said Sisodia. He emphasized that the party aimed to take every section of society together on the path of progress and appealed to the people to continue supporting this honest and development-oriented government so that Punjab could move forward rapidly. Punjab GENCO chairman Navjot Singh Jarg, AAP district president (Ludhiana rural-2) Darshan Singh Kuhli, Market Committee, Sahnewal, chairman Hemraj Raji and others were also present. Ludhiana, April 2 An attempt was made to burn a newly married woman alive by pouring petrol on her in Meharban area near here. The woman, who has been embroiled in domestic disputes since her marriage four months ago, has levelled serious allegations against her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law of setting her on fire with the intention of killing her. The statement of the victim, who suffered serious burns, was recorded at the hospital on the judge’s instructions. The police registered a case of attempt to murder against the husband and her in-laws. According to Paramjit Singh, investigating officer at Meherban police station, information was received from the CMC Hospital on March 25 that a woman had been admitted with severe burns. She was identified as Kanta Kaur, a resident of a locality near the village road. After her condition improved, her statement was recorded in the presence of a judge on March 31. In her statement, Kanta Kaur stated that she had married Gurpreet Singh about four months back. After marriage, she wanted to live separately with her husband, but her inlaws constantly harassed her mentally and physically over this issue. It is alleged that on the day of the incident, a dispute arose at home over the same issue. The quarrel escalated to the point where her husband, along with his parents, allegedly poured petrol on her and set her on fire. The grain market at Jalandhar bypass being cleaned as wheat is yet to arrive. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA WHEAT CROP BLACKENING ARHTIYAS ON STRIKE Farmers in several parts of the district have reported blackening of wheat due to erratic weather. February’s unexpected heat followed by sudden rain created moisture stress. The crop, still in maturing stage, has shown signs of discolouration. Farmers fear this may affect both yield and quality, impacting procurement prices. Around 45,000 commission agents across Punjab have gone on strike and will halt the procurement procedure. They are demanding restoration of 2.5% commission instead of ~45 per quintal flat rate. Strike will disrupt the procurement once harvesting picks up. Next meeting with the CM is scheduled for April 6 to end the deadlock. followed. This abrupt change has damaged the crop and led to blackening.” Meanwhile, procurement will be further disrupted by an indefinite strike launched by arhtiyas (commission agents) across Punjab. As of April 1 agents have stopped operations, demanding restoration of the earlier 2.5% commission structure instead of the current flat rate of Rs 45 per quintal. Vijay Kalra, president of the Federation of Arhtiya Association of Punjab, said, “The government replaced the percentage-based commission with a fixed rate of Rs 45 per quintal, which is unjust and has adverse- ly impacted our income.” A meeting with the Chief Minister was held yesterday, and another round of talks is scheduled for April 6 to resolve the issue. Until then, procurement remains stalled, leaving farmers anxious about timely lifting of their crop. Man booked for ‘rape’ Immersed in devotion Ludhiana, April 2 The Jagraon Sadar police have registered a case against a man who allegedly raped his three-year-old daughter at a village in Jagraon. The complainant, who is a local resident, told the police that they heard the screams of a girl child and rushed to the place, and were shocked to see the accused committing the crime. “We rescued the girl and handed her over to her mother,” added the complainant. — TNS In a first, Civil Hospital inducts 3 female guards Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 2 In a progressive step toward patient safety and comfort, the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, has inducted female security guards for the first time. Under the new system, three women guards have been appointed to work alongside male personnel, ensuring round-the-clock protection for mothers and children. One woman guard, along with her five male guards, will be on duty round the clock in each shift. A total of 16 male security guards are there with the hospital now. This is the first time that women security guards have been appointed in the hospital. Families visiting the hospital have expressed relief at the initiative. “When my wife comes here for check-ups, I feel more re-assured seeing A woman security guard deployed at the Mother and Child Hospital outside labour room in the Civil Hospital. INDERJEET VERMA women guards around. It creates a safer and more respectful environment,” said Rajesh Kumar, husband of an expecting mother. Another woman, Sunita Devi, who was accompanying her daughter-in-law, added that, “It was a pleasant surprise on seeing a woman security guard asking us if everything was okay and if we need any help. This is really a promising step,” she said. Nursing staff and paramedical staff have also appreciated the deployment of female guards. Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Rohit Rampal emphasized the importance of the change. He said, “This is not just about security, it is about sensitivity. Mothers and children need an environment where they feel protected and comfortable. The presence of female guards ensures that patients can communicate freely and feel more at ease.” He further noted that the initiative reflected the hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care. “We are proud to be the first government hospital in the district to implement this system. It sets a precedent for others to follow.” With female guards now present in every shift, the hospital authorities believe the atmosphere will become more welcoming and secure, particularly for pregnant women and new mothers. The initiative is being seen as a model for other government hospitals in Punjab, highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive measures in healthcare facilities, added another senior doctor from the hospital. At the MCH, every day around 200-250 pregnant c m y b women come to the OPD for check-ups, and 30 to 40 arrive for delivery. Additionally, 200 to 250 children come for treatment in the OPD. In such a situation, the presence of women security personnel will make the environment more secure and comfortable. According to the hospital authorities, the decision has been taken keeping in mind the convenience and safety of pregnant women and female staff. Currently, women guards have been deployed only at the MCH, but later they will also be posted at the Civil Hospital. The role of the female guard is not limited to one place, she will inspect various wards every half hour, including the labour ward, post-natal ward one, post-natal ward two and others. She will also interact with mothers, pregnant women and their family members to check if they are facing any problem. Devotees celebrate Hanuman Jayanti with prayers and festivity at Krishan Mandir in Ludhiana on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN SUV looted from doc, 2 booked Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 2 Two unidentified men threatened a female doctor with a knife and fled with her Creta SUV. The police at Meherban police station registered a case yesterday and launched a search for the accused. It is scanning CCTV cameras in areas close to the site of crime. Alerts have also been sent to entry and exit points of the city. The complainant, Dr Avneet Kaur, told the police that she was taking driving lessons from an instructor in her white Creta car between 7 and 8 pm on March 31. As she approached the crematorium on Bhamian Road and was about to reverse, two men arrived on a motorcycle. The victim told the police that the miscreants threatened her with a sharp knife, while her instructor backed off. They then snatched her car and fled toward Tajpur Road. She then immediately informed the police about the loot. Upon receiving information about the incident, the cops from Meherban police station reached the spot. Based on the woman’s statement, they registered a case against two unidentified accused. Police officials said that CCTV cameras in the area were being examined to trace the criminals’ escape route.